Decorative wall structure



Jan. 19, 1932. D GRAHAM 1,841 947 DECORATIVE WALL STRUCTURE Filed March24, 1930 f/VVE/VTOB flouglass Graham 3 Y Patented Jan. 19, 19321,841,947

UNITED snares PATE ToFFic DOUGLASS GRAHAM, F WISCASSET, MAINE DECORATIVEWALL STRUCTURE Application filed March 24, 1930. Serial No. 438,428.

My invention relates to a decorative wall Referring to the drawingswhich are for finish or decorative fabric structure which illustrativepurposes only, may be used as a surfacing or finish for walls. Fig. 1 isa perspective elevation of a simple The invention may be employed as awall form of screen embodying my invention. finish to good advantage inmany places, but' Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary eleva- 55. in viewof the fact that the present most e-X- tion of one of the wall membersor leaves of tensive use thereof is in connection with such a screen asshown in Fig. 1. screens and partitions I shall simplify the Fig. 3 is across section on a plane repredisclosure of the invention by confiningthe sented by the line 33 of Fig. 2. description and illustrationthereof to the' Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of a finishing ofwall members of this character. portion of a strip of fabric from whichthe As a general rule it is desired that screens tube element of myinvention is formed. shall present a pleasing and artistic appear- Fig.5 is a fragmentary elevational view ance, and there are many uses forscreens and similar to Fig. 2, this view illustrating the partitionswhereby one portion of a room method of applying the tube element so asto 65 may be segregated from another, and in some cover the raw edges ofthe stripe members uses of screens it is desired that the surfaces ofthe invention. thereof be waterproof, such as where a screen Fig. 6 isan enlarged fragmentary vertical is to be used in a bath, or of washablecharcross section showing the upper edge of a wall acter, as where thescreen is used in a nurforming part of the screen and the manner 70sery. 1 in which the edges of the surface members My invention has inview a simple, artistic are covered by an edge strip. surface structurewhich may be used on In Fig. 1 I show a screen 10 consisting of screensor other walls. This surface structhree leaves 11 joined in thecustomary manture is built up from sheets and strips of ner by hinges12. Each of the leaves 11 confabric, the colors of which may be selectedto sists of a wall including, as shown in Fig. 3, give artistic andpleasing combinations and a base 13, which is conveniently made ofbalanced color effects. A fabric especially wood, and a surfacestructure 14 built up of adapted to use in the practice of myinvensheets and strips of fabric. The invention retion is coloredoilcloth, as such material may sides in this surface structure 14 andthe be obtained in many shades, is waterproof, simple method of applyingthe component and may be readily washed or cleaned. parts thereof to awall. In this simple dis- An object of the invention is to provide aclosure of the invention I show a sheet of decorative wall surfaceconsisting of sheets flexible material or fabric 15 which is prefandstrips of material secured to a wall strucerably oilcloth. This sheet 15is carried ture or base in the manner to be hereinafter across the back16 of the wall 13 around the described. edges 17 thereof and partlyacross the front It is an object of the invention to provide a face 18of the wall or base 13. At the edges wall surfacing structure in whichstrips of 20 of the sheet 15 stripe members 21 are seflexible material.are applied to a basewith one cured, these stripe members consisting ofor more edges thereof turned under so as to strips of fabric, such asoilcloth, secured in form flattened half-tubes or tubes on the wall. thefollowing manner: The stripe member A further object of the invention isto pro- 21 is placed in inverted position with one vide a simple andeffective method of applyedge thereof lying along the edge 20 and withing a fabric tube to a wall in such a manner the remaining portionextending over the that the fastening means, which are generally edgeportion of the sheet 15 in the manner tacks, will not be visible.indicated by the dotted lines 22. A row of Further objects andadvantages of the intacks 19 is then applied so as to secure the ventionwill be made evident throughout the edge 20 of the sheet 15 and the edgeof the to following part of the specification. stripe member 21 to thebase 13. The stripe member is then swung over from the positionindicated by the dotted lines 22 to the position in which it isindicated in full lines, thus causing a half-tube 23 to be formed at oneedge of the stripe member 21. In this manner, one edge of the strip ofmaterial forming the stripe 21 is turned under so that the material willhave a bulging or tubular effect, which condition I shall forconvenience term a half-tube. \Vhen the stripe member 21 is swung overfrom the dotted line position 22 to its full line position, the freeedge 24 thereof is laid against the face of the base 13. A second orsecondary stripe member 25 is then secured in a manner substantially thesame as described relative to the first or primary stripe member 21. Thestripe member 25 is placed in inverted position with one edge thereofextending along the edge 24 so of the primary stripe member 21 and withthe remaining portion of the secondary stripe member 25 extendingsubstantially in the direction indicated by the dotted lines 26. A rowof tacks 27 is then driven to secure the edge 24 of the stripe member 21and the cooperating edge of the stripe member 25 to the base 13, afterwhich the strip of fabric forming the stripe member 25 is swung from theposition indicated by the dotted lines 26 into the full line positionshown in Fig. 3, and the edge 28 of the stripe member 25 may be thensecured to the base 13 by the use of tacks 30.

In the foregoing description of the application of the stripe members 21and 25 I have confined the explanation thereof to the righthand portionof Fig. 3, but it is to be understood that the stripe members 21 and 25shown at the left side of Fig. 3 are applied in the same manner, withthe result that the fiat edges 28 of the stripe members 25 extendparallel and adjacent to each other, as shown in Fig. 5. These flatedges 28 are then covered by a tube 32 which is made from a fabric, suchas oilcloth, and is secured to the base 13 in a flattened form withoutthe fastening means thereof being visible.

In the simple and preferred practice of the invention the tube 32 ismade in the following manner: A strip of oilcloth 33, as shown in Fig.4, of required width to form the tube has longitudinally directedtongues 34 formed in the longitudinal opposing edges 35 thereof, itbeing preferable to form these tongues by making diagonal cuts 36 in theedges 35 substantially as shown. The opposing edges 35 are then broughtinto proximity to each other by rolling the strip 33 into the form of atube. In most instances it is desirable to slightly overlap the edges 35in the manner shown in Fig. 5. The tongues 34 are placed opposite one tothe other so that when the tube 32 is formed the tongues will over- Ilap in the manner shown at 37 and 38. \Vhen the tube 32 is placed in acentralized position between the edges 28 of the secondary stripe member25, it may be secured in place by means of securing means, such as tacks40, which are driven through the overlapping tongues 34 in substantiallythe manner shown in Fig. 5. At 38 a pair of overlapping or cooperatingtongues 34 are shown lying against the face of the base 13, while thelower portion of the tube 32 is raised or folded back but of the way toenable the driving of the tacks 40. In the securing of the strip 33, thetacking operation is advanced progressively from one pair of tongues toanother until the tube 32 is secured throughout its entire length. Whenthe tacking operation is completed, all the tacks 40 are concealed underthe tube 32, and the tube is secured in its desired position without theuse of complex fastening means or intricate tools, as a small hammer isthe only tool necessary for securing the stripe members 21 and 25 andthe tube 32 in place. I recognize, however, that other means of securingthe primary and secondary stripe members and the tube 32 in place may beused, and therefore it is to be understood that my invention is notlimited to the elements secured in the specific manner described butalso consists in the novel compositon of sheets and strips such as thosespecified herein.

In Fig. 6 is shown the upper edge portion of a screen member 11 havingthe upper edges 46 of the fabric sheets, stripes and tubes 15, 21, 25,and 32 folded over the upper face 47 of the base 13 and covered by anedge stri 48 which may be any suitable member, suc as a molding strip,tape, or fabric tube, as illustrated. Securing devices in the form ofnails 49 are driven down through the edge strip 48 and the overlappingupper edges 46 of the fabric members into the base 13, thereby holdingthe edges 46 securely and concealing them. For convenience in definitionI have termed the stripe members 21 and 25 as half-tubes, for the reasonthat only one edge thereof is turned under. The bulging effect obtainedthereby is entirely novel, and where selected color combinations areemployed for the cover sheet 15, the stripes 21 and 25, and the tube 32,very artistic and pleasing effects are produced. In the simpleillustration of the invention I have shown the striping effect only onone side of each screen member, but both sides of the screen may bereadily equipped with one or more systems of stripes, as may be desired.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a decorative wall finish, the combination of: a base; a stripemember secured to said base; and a fabric tube secured to said base in aposition covering an edge of said stripe member.

2. In a decorative wall finish, the combination of: a base; a stripemember secured to said base with one end thereof turned under andsecured to said base in a manner to form a half-tube and with theopposing edge thereof lying flat on said base; and a fabric tube securedto said base in a position covering the flat edge of said stripe member.

3. In a decorative wall finish, the combination of: a base; a stripemember secured to sa' :l base; and a flattened tube secured to said basein a position covering an ec ge of said stripe member.

2. In a decorative wall finish, the combination of: base; a stripemember secured to said base with one end thereof turned under andsecured to said base in a manner to form a half-tube and with theopposing edge thereof lying at on said base; and a flattened tubesecured to said base in a position covering the flat cage of said stripemember.

5. In a deco 'ative wall finish, the combination of: abase; a stripemember secured to said base; and a fabric tube securee. to said base ina position covering an edge of said stripe member, the ends of said tubebeing held fiat so as to cause said tube to assume a flattened position.

6. In a decorative wall finish, the combination of: a base; a stripemember secured to said base with one end thereof turned under andsecured to said base in a manner to form a half-tube and with theopposing edge thereof lyi flat on said base; and a flattened tubesecured to said base in a position covering the edge of said stripemember, the ends of said tube being held flat so as to cause said tubeto assume a flattened position.

'5. In a decorative wall finish, the combination of: a base; a stripemember secured to said base; a fabric tube secured to said base in aposition covering an edge of said stripe member, said tube consisting ofa strip rolled to bring its opposing edges into proximity; and means forsecuring said opposing edges of said tube to said base.

8. in a decorative wall finish, the combination of: a base; a stripemember secured to said base with one end thereof turned under andsecured to said base in a manner to form a half-tube and with theopposing edge thereof lying flat on said base; a fabric tube secured tosaid base ina position covering the fiat edge of said stripe member,said tube consisting ofa strip rolled to bring its opposing edges intoproximity; and means for secursaicl opposing edges of said tube to saidbase.

9. In a decorative wall finish, the combination of: a base; a stripemember secured to said base; a fabric tube secured to said base in aposition covering edge of said stripe 5 member, said tube consisting ofa strip rolled to bring its opposing edges into proximity, there beingcuts 111 said opposing edges forming cooperating securing tongues; andsecuring means attaching said tongues to said base.

10. In a decorative wall finish, the combn nation of: a base; a stripemember secured to said base with one end thereof turned under andsecured to said base in a manner to form a half-tube and with theopposing edge thereof lying flat on said base; a fabric tube secured tosaid base in a position covering the fiat edge of said stripe member,said tube consisting of a strip rolled to bring its opposing edges intoproximity, there being cuts in said opposing edges forming cooperatingsecuring tongues; and securing means attaching said. ton ues to saidbase.

11. In a decorative wall finish, the combination of: a base; a stripemember secured to said base; a fabric tube secured to said base in aposition coverin an edge of said stripe member, said tube consisting ofa strip rolled to bring its opposing edges into proximity, there beingcuts in said opposing edges forming cooperating securing tongues; andnailing members passing through said tongues and securing them to saidbase.

12.1n a decorative wall finish, the combination of: a base; a stripemember secured to said base with one end thereof turned under andsecured to said base in a manner to form a halftube and with theopposing edge thereof lying flat on said base; a fabric tube secured tosaid base in a position covering the flat edge of said stripe member,said tube consisting of a strip rolled to bring its opposing edges intoproximity, there being cuts in said opposing edges forming cooper atingsecuring tongues; and nailing members passing through said tongues andsecuring them to said base.

13. in a decorative wall finish the combination of: a base; acomposition consisting of a plurality of stripe members secured to saidbase in relatively primary and secondary relationship, each stripemember having one edge thereof turned under and secured to said base soas to form a half-tube and the opposing edge thereof lying flat againstsaid base, each relatively secondary stripe member being placed with itsturned-under edge covering a flat edge of arelatively primary stripemember; and means covering the fiat edge of the final relativelysecondary stripe member of said composition of stripe members.

14. In a decorative wall finish, the combination of: a base; acomposition consisting of a plurality of stripe members secured to saidbase in relatively primary and secondary relationship, each stripemember having one edge thereof turned under and secured to said base soas to form a half-tube and the opposing edge thereof lying flat againstsaid base, each relatively secondary stripe member b ein g placed w'thits turned-under edge covering a flat edge of a relatively primarystripe member; and a fabric tube covering the fiat edge of the finalrelatively secondary ice stripe member of said composition of stripemembers.

15. In a decorative wall finish, the combination of: a base; acomposition consisting of a plurality of stripe members secured to saidbase in relatively primary and secondary relationship, each stripemember having one edge thereof turned under and secured to said base soas to form a half-tube and the opposing edge thereof lying flat againstsaid base, each relatively secondary stripe member being placed with itsturned-under edge covering a flat edge of a relatively primary stripemember; a fabric tube covering the flat edge of the final relativelysecondary stripe member of said composition of stripe members, said tubeconsisting of a strip rolled to bring its opposing edges into proximity,there being cuts in said opposing edges forming cooperating securingtongues; and securing means attaching said tongues to said base.

16. In a decorative Wall finish, the combination of: a base; acomposition consisting of a. plurality of stripe members secured to saidbase in relatively primary and secondary relationship. each stripemember having one edge thereof turned under and secured to said base soas to form a half-tube and the opposing edge thereof lying flat againstsaid base, each relatively secondary stripe member being placed with itsturned-under edge covering a fiat edge of a relatively primary stripemember; a fabric tube covering the flat edge of the final relativelysecondary stripe member of said composition of stripe members, said tubeconsisting of a strip rolled to bring its opposing edges into proximity,there being cuts in said opposing edges forming cooperating securingtongues; and nailing members passing through said tongues and securingthem to said base.

17. In a decorative Wall finish of the character described. a tubecomprising a strip of flexible material rolled to bring its opposingedges into proximity, said opposing edges having means adapting them forattachment to a Wall member.

18. In a decorative Wall finish of the char acter described, a tubecomprising a strip of flexible material rolled to bring its opposingedges into proximity, said opposing edges having tongues formed thereonadapting them for attachment to a Wall member.

19. In a decorative Wall finish of the character described, a tubecomprising a strip of flexible material rolled to bring its opposingedges into proximity, said opposing edges having cuts therein so as toform tongues adapting them for attachment to a ivall member.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles,California, this 19th dayof March, 1930.

DOUGLASS GRAHAM.

